Oct 2013: 1995 Sassicaia, 2000 Pio Cesare Barolo, 1979 Poggio Salvi Brunello, 1995 Smith Haut Lafitte…

1995 Sassicaia (courtesy John), decanted on-site at Burlamacco Ristorante, 1 Oct 2013, where Paolo and Ian made sure we were very well looked after. This wine has hit full maturity in every way: deep vermilion in color with notes of predominantly red fruits supported by redcurrants and a hint of violets, distinctly medium-bodied and soft, the tannins having melted away, somewhat lacking in body and weight initially. Further aeration and food made a difference, the wine fleshing out very well whilst the mild minerality struck a fine balance against the ample but gentle fruit. One would have thought this was Burgundy, if blinded. This wine is at its peak and will continue to hold for several more years. Excellent.

2010 Louis Jadot Bourgogne, decanted on-site at Bistro 103, 4 Oct 2013. Autmn red, with the fragrance of red roses, cherries and a hint of plums, lively with fresh acidity amidst subdued tannins and earthy minerality, distinctly medium-bodied and well-balanced. A good table wine, and a fairly good proposition for SGD40.

1990 Carpineto Vino di Nobile Montepulciano Riserva, aired in bottle for almost an hour at Da Luca, 8 Oct 2013. Much better compared to a previous bottle tasted in January this year. Mature red and dark fruits marked by some rusticity and a lovely sur-maturite, slightly dark in tone which eventually lifted, fleshing out with notes of plums, a dash of sweetness and an occasional sparkle from the soft tannins. Lovely.

1979 Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino (courtesy Li Fern), aired in bottle for over an hour at Da Luca, 8 Oct 2013. Amazingly, this wine is still very much at its peak. Still remarkably full with superb depth of fruit, the passage of time ensuring an abundance of tertiary notes of saddle, cinnamon, cedar and sweet plums without ever threatening to fade even by midnight. Outstanding.

2000 Pio Cesare Barolo (courtesy Vic), decanted for 90 minutes at Da Luca, 8 Oct 2013. In spite of its 13 years, this wine is still remarkably full-bodied, saturated with primary notes of vanilla and enamel although the warmth of ripe nebbiolo beneath was never far off, whilst the expert craftsmanship ensured that the tight tannins never got in the way. This Barolo is to Italian reds in the same way a Barossa is to Aussie reds – bold but well-balanced. I enjoyed it.

1998 Ch Lanessan, popped and poured at Asia Grand, 23 Oct 2013. Not promising at all initially, the wine sullen and backward, cloaked by an overwhelming medicinal note on the nose while palate is dominated by powerful salty minerality. Thankfully, things changed rather quickly with time and aeration, the wine smoothening and opening up to reveal some glorious redcurrants and dark berries, still remarkably fresh and supple with some secondary notes of cinnamon and violets, framed by subtle silky tannins. Very good indeed, but it needs time.

1995 Ch Smith Haut-Lafitte (courtesy John), decanted on-site over supper at Otto Ristorante, 29 Oct 2013. Unmistakable earthy aromas of Pessac-Leognan punctuated with notes of redcurrants and cherries dominate on the bouquet, medium-bodied on the palate, soft and slightly fleshy, well-balanced with subdued tannins. The earthiness disappeared after some time, allowing the purity of the predominant red fruits to shine. Doesn’t quite possess the complexity and depth of the best estates but this is highly satisfying on its own.